Valved tank



c. 5. BROWN Aug. 23, 1949.

VALVED TANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1948 IN VEN TOR. C IE]. 5. D/EOW/V Patented Aug. 23, 1949 VALVED TANK Carl S. Brown, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to Glascote Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 23, 1948, Serial No. 40,242

'7 Claims. (Cl. 137-21) This invention relates to improvements in liquid treating and storage tanks and to valve fittings therefor. More particularly the invention is concerned with improvements in valve fittings for tanks used in connection with the treatment or storage of milk or other liquid food products.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a tank or other container with an improved valve fitting which will permit the tank to be completely drained and wherein the valve and outlet conduit may be readily removed to facilitate cleaning and sterilization of both the tank and fitting and thus facilitate the use of the tank in connection with liquid food products.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve fitting particularly adapted for use in connection with containers for liquid food products such as, for instance, milk storage and treatment tanks and the like, and which fitting will comprise a member permanently secured to a tank and in which a combined valve mechanism and outlet conduit valve mechanism is removably positioned, the inner surfaces :of the valve mechanism and outlet conduit and the tank member being substantially smooth, free from internal threads and the like, and devoid of crevices in which bacteria could collect.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, reference being made to a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The essential features of the invention will be summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section taken through a tank and valve fitting and illustrates the valve fitting and assembly in axial section in position on the tank; Fig. 2 is a view, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows on Fig. 1, and illustrates the fitting and valve assembly in position on the tank; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, partially in section, illustrating the valve assembly being removed from the tank; and Fig. 4 is a transverse section as indicated by the lines 44 on Fig. 1.

In the drawings, the tank is shown as comprising an inner shell l and an outer shell ll separated by a layer of cork or other insulation material l2. The improved valve mechanism is positioned adjacent the inersection of the end wall is and the bottom of the cylindrical wall It of the inner shell ill and projects outwardly at an angle to both walls. As shown, the inner shell is is provided with an opening H5 at the intersection of the end wall I3 and the cylindrical wall M. An outlet member H5 in the form of aspherical segment is secured to the wall of the inner shell at the periphery of the opening I5 as by welding. An outlet tube I1 is secured to the lower periphery of the segment l6 as by a weld IS. The upper end of the tube 11 has a beveled surface H! which substantially forms a continuation of the inner walls of the spherical segment 16. The tube l1 extends outward through suitable openings in the insulation [2 and the outer shell ll of the tankand projects therebeyond as illustrated in Fig. 1. A protecting ring 20 is welded to the exterior of the outlet tube as at 2| and to the outer shell ll of the tank as at 22. Accordingly, fluid tight joints are provided between the outlet tube Hand the inner and outer walls of the tank.

A valve body comprising a substantially cylindrical sleeve 25 is removably mounted in the outlet tube 11. Mounted within this sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom is an outlet conduit x01 tube 26, the lower end of which is bent upwardly out of the axis of the sleeve as at 21 so as to extend substantially parallel with the lower wall or axis of the tank. The conduit 26 is in the form of a tubular elbow and is welded or otherwise integrally secured as at its upper end to the inner surface of the sleeve 25, and welded to the lower end of the sleeve 25 as indicated at 28. Accordingly, there is a fiuid tight seal between both ends of the sleeve 25 and the conduit 26 making the conduit 26, in effect, an integral part of the valve body 25.

Adjacent its upper end, the inner surface of the outlet tube I1 is provided with an inwardly and downwardly facing beveled surface or shoulder 30 which eoacts with an upward and outward beveled surface 3| formed at the upper end of the sleeve 25. When the sleeve is forced upward, bringing the beveled surfaces 30 and 3| together, as will be hereinafter more fully described, there is provided a fluid tight joint between the upper ends of the tube and sleeve.

The sleeve 25 forms a valve seat for a valve member 35. As shown in the drawings, the upper ends of both the sleeve 25 and the conduit 26 are provided with an inwardly and upwardly facing beveled surface 31 to coact with a beveled surface 36 formed on a valve member 35. The valve member is provided with a stem 38 which extends downward axially through the sleeve and conduit and projects outward through the wall of the divergent end 21 of the outlet conduit.

The valve body or sleeve 25 is removably secured or clamped in position in the outlet tube H by a bonnet 40 and a retaining nut 4|. The bonnet 40 comprises a ring 44 loosely embracing the outlet tube l! and a hub portion 42 spaced axially therefrom by a pair of diametrically spaced arms d3. The retaining nut 4| is positioned within the bonnet and is provided with internal threads twhicheengage lexternal threads 49 formed Qnithe outer-wall pf tthe 'outlet tube I! of the tank. The retaining nut 4! is provided with an upwardly facing beveled surface 54 whichengages a corresponding beveled surface 55 formed on the lower face of the ring 44 df-fth bonnet. Accordingly, as thenut M is tightened, the bonnet is moved axiallyltowar'dithe tank. The valve stem 38 extends through the hub 42 of the bonnet and the latter engages a boss-like member or tube 50 which is secured' to the-conduit 26 as by a weld 5|. As the bonnet is moved upward by the retaining nut 4|, the hub portion 52 thereof exertspressure againstithe boss ,59, lthusnurging ,the entire valve assembly upward, Jhrin in 1the1b vel d surface flfl '5 'i n e- .mentgwith eachpther, and securingithe' valve assembly in position on the tank When thestructure i i position on .theytank, seepage of'fluidialong thevalve stem 35.:is preventel iby apacking ring 15.2 which is interposed between theeonduitbossfdl! andtthe bonnet hub 42. l'Iihe tap red or'heveledupper surfa e-53 off the bonnet Lhub lltinsures gt'he tightening :of the packing 52 a ut the surfaeelof the valvestem $3.8, iconsequentrupon tightening of the retaining .nut Al.

IIJhe valve iiiis manuallyiopenediand olosedby .thepperation \of a :handle. .member 45. This handle is removablysecured-tothejlowerend of the .valveistemvm ascat Al, in any well-known ,manner, andis provided with internal threads which coast with external threads 59 formed "on thehubtmemben4,2.tofacilitateraising and-lowerlin of the valve fromrand toitslseati Themrr ri ment of this handle mechanism as .such tha whenfthe valve 13,5lis .raised asfaraspossible ifr m-itsseat the valve 35 will remain ,within the Dspherical segment-J5 .andlthus b protected at all times. 7

The valve mechanism is'leadily removed, from the t ank by manipulation of the retainingnut A1.- ls illustrated iniEignii, the entire valve mechanism includin th lbQ v Lorsleeve 12.5, the

outlet conduitJZdJthe valvemem'berj35, thebonnet '40, and theretainingring 41, may be re- ,moved as arunit from the structure. 'Thisis .ac v.com,pl shed Without'the u e f int rnal threads on either'the outlet-tubel7,,the sleevef25, or'the outlet conduit 26. Accordingly the inner surfaces of these membersrmaybe readily cleaned and sterilized. It will "also-be notedthat direct ac- ,cess 'is had to the interior of these structures.

Thearrangementds such thatfthe handle 45 may 'be manipulated -'t0 move-the-valve upward away from its seat'adistancetofacilitate cleaning of thevalve member SSandtheoutlet conduit '26 without -removing the waive-member from the conduit. The opening in thboss 50 and hub o -42, through which-the valve stem Bil -passes, may ibeof suchsize as to facilitate cleaning thereof.

:1 claim: JMIn ,an apparatus .of the class, described, a tank having anou'tlet jtube .extending outward therefrom ,and having a downwardly facing beveled internal shoulde ja s u p d, a tubular elbow 'havingbne leg xtendingiinto said. outlet tube and engaging said shoulder to form a fluid tight jointtherebetween, a valve carried by said elbow to control the passage of fluid from the tank to said elbow, a bonnet hav-- ing a ring portion loosely surrounding said tube and a hub portion spaced from said ring by a pair of arms and a retainer nut mounted within said bonnet and encircling said elbow to draw the =.hub portion :of said bonnet. into engagement iwithsaideelbowgsaid nutlhaving a threaded connection with the external surface of said tube '-.and a shoulder for engagement with said bonnet ring.

2. -In an apparatus of the class described, a tank, having an outlet tube extending outward vandtdownward therefrom and having a downwardly .faoing beveled internal shoulder adjacent its upper end, a tubular elbow having one "leg'extending-into said outlet tube and engaging saidrshoulder to form a fluid tight joint therebetween, a valve carried by said elbow to control the passageioffluidfrom the tank to said elbow, means to retainlsaid elbow in positionin .saidtube and including ,aibonnet comprising aringportion ,loosely surrounding said tube andajhubportion spacadiromthering portion'byspaced arms, and means to draw the'hub portion of said bonnet into engagement withsaid elbow and comprising .a retainer nutimounted Within saidbonnet and encircling saidlelbow,rsaid nutjhaving a threadedvconnection with the external surface ,of said tube ,and a shoulder for en gement with said ,bonnet, ring portion, and manually operable means carried by said .bonneltihub to control the positionof said valve.

3 In an apparatus of the \class described, a tank having vcan outlet tube extending outward and (downward therefrom, said tube having a downwardly facing internal shoulder adjacent the upper end lthereof, an ,outlet .conduit member within said tube and having an upwardly facing :beveled surface scoacting with said shoulder to form a ,fiuid tight joint therebetween, said :member having an upwardly and .inwardly-lfacing beveled valve :seat surface, said conduit member extending downwardly from axis of said (tube, esaid conduit .member having 7 an opening in axial alignment with said tube, a

bonnet comprising a ring .rloosely surrounding said tube and .a tubular hub spaced from said :ring byspacedtarins andinaxial alignment with said tube, a valvecoacting with said valveiseat surface and having a stem extending through the opening in said conduit member andsaidhub, packing encircling said stem and disposed between said .hub and conduit member, and areztaining .nut surrounding said tube Within said bonnet .and having .a threaded engagement vu'th ,said tube and-,ashoulder for engagement with said ring, whereby tightening :of the nutacts to compress said packing and force said outlet member into engagement with said outlet tube.

A. Inanapparatusof the. class described, a tank .having ,a tube extending outwardly therefrom and 'forming an outlet, said tube'havinga .down- Wardlyandinwardly facingibeveled surface forming.a shoulder interiorally thereof andadjacent its ,upper end, a tubularlelbow withinlsaid'tu'be and having an upwardly facingjbeveled surface at its upper end to coact with the shoulder onlsaid tube to form a fluid tight joint therebetween and having anupwardly :and inwardly facing beveled valve seat-surface, a tubular boss on said elbow in axial alignment with :said tube, .a ,bonnet comprising .a ring loosely surrounding said tube and a tubular hub spaced from said ring by a yoke and in axial alignment with said boss, a valve coacting with said valve seat surface and having a stem extending through the aligned boss and hub, packing encircling said stem and disposed between said hub and said boss, said ring having a downwardly facing interiorally formed shoulder, and a retaining nut surrounding said elbow within said bonnet and having a threaded engagement with the exterior of said tube and having a shoulder for engagement with said bonnet shoulder, whereby tightening of the retaining nut acts to compress said packing and force said elbow into engagement with said tube.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a tank having an outlet tube extending outwardly therefrom and connected with the bottom and one end wall of the tank, said tube having a downwardly and inwardly facing beveled surface forming a shoulder interiorally thereof and adjacent its upper end, a sleeve within said tube and having an outwardly and upwardly facing beveled surface at its upper end coacting with said shoulder to form a fluid tight joint therebetween, a drain tube in said sleeve and extending therefrom first downwardly and then outwardly at an angle to the and having a stem extending through the aligned boss and hub, said ring having a downwardly facing interiorally formed shoulder, and a clamping ring surrounding said tube within said bonnet and having a threaded engagement with the ex ternal surface of said tube and having a shoulder for engagement with said bonnet shoulder, whereby tightening of the clamping ring acts to force said sleeve into engagement with said outlet tube.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a tank having bottom and end walls, said tank having a spherical segmental outlet cavity adjacent the intersection of one end wall and the bottom wall thereof, an outlet tube having one end thereof abutting the bottom of said cavity and having a downwardly facing internal shoulder adjacent the upper end thereof, an outlet conduit member within said tube and having an upwardly facing beveled surface coacting with said shoulder to form a fluid tight joint therebetween together with an upwardly and inwardly facing beveled valve seat surface, said conduit member extending downwardly from said tube and then outwardly at an angle to the axis of said tube, said conduit member having an opening in axial alignment with said tube, a bonnet comprising a ring portion loosely surrounding said tube and a tubular hub portion spaced from said ring by a pair of spaced arms and in axial alignment with said tube, a valve coacting with said valve seat surface and having a stem extending through the opening in said conduit member and said hub, packing encircling said stem and disposed between said hub and conduit member, and a retaining nut surrounding said tube within said bonnet and having a threaded engagement with said outlet tube and a shoulder for engagement with said ring, whereby tightening of the nut acts to compress said packing and force said outlet member into engagement with said outlet tube, and means interconnecting said bonnet and valve stem to raise and lower said valve into and out of engagement with said valve seat, and wherein the maximum upward movement of said valve is limited whereby said valve is at all times below the upper reach of said segmental cavity.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a tank having a spherical segmental cavity extending outwardly therefrom, an outlet tube joined at one end to the lower end of said cavity and extending outwardly therefrom, said tube having an upward and inward beveled surface substantially forming a continuation of the wall of said cavity, said tube having a downwardly and inwardly facing beveled surface forming a shoulder interiorally thereof and adjacent its upper end, a sleeve within said tube and having an outwardly and upwardly facing beveled surface at its upper end coacting with said shoulder to form a fluid tight joint therebetween, a drain tube in said sleeve and extending therefrom first downwardly and then outwardly at an angle to the axis of said tube, a tubular boss on said drain tube in axial alignment with said tube, an inwardly and upwardly beveled surface formed on the upper end of said drain tube and sleeve and forming a valve seat surface, a bonnet comprising a ring loosely surrounding said outlet tube and a tubular hub spaced therefrom by a pair of arms, said hub being in axial alignment with said boss, a valve coacting with said valve seat surface and having a stem extending through the aligned boss and hub, packing encircling said stem and disposed between said hub and boss, said ring having a downwardly facing interiorally formed shoulder, and a clamping ring surrounding said tube within said bonnet and having a threaded engagement with the external surface of said tube and having a shoulder for engagement with said bonnet shoulder, whereby tightening of the clamping ring acts to compress said packing and force said sleeve into engagement with said outlet tube, and means to limit the movement of said valve away from its seat whereby said valve remains in said segmental cavity when moved upward away from its seat.

CARL S. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,652,510 Allen Dec. 13, 1927 1,939,495 Goecke Dec. 12, 1933 

